How far is Surprise, AZ from Picture Rocks, AZ?

The driving distance from Surprise, AZ to Picture Rocks, AZ is about 128.9 miles (207.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 108.9 miles (175.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
128.96 mi
02h 33m
Flight
108.85 mi
175.17 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Surprise.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
108.85 mi
Kilometers
175.17 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
128.96 mi
Kilometers
207.54 km
Drive Time
02h 33m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Picture Rocks
Thu, Apr 23, 4:42 AM MST
Return by in Surprise
Thu, Apr 23, 7:16 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Surprise
2026-04-23T02:09
Arrive Picture Rocks
Thu, Apr 23, 4:42 AM MST
Route Timing
02h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 PM MST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:22 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Surprise
9:30 PM MST
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Sacaton
AZ

Census-designated place in Pinal County, Arizona

From Surprise
64.5 mi
01h 16m
To Picture Rocks
64.4 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 15 mph S
Destination
87°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Surprise and Picture Rocks.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Surprise and Picture Rocks.

  1. 1

    Start on North Nash Street

    1464 ft · 54 sec · North Nash Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West Santa Fe Drive

    1322 ft · 37 sec · West Santa Fe Drive

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Greenway Road

    66 m · 7 sec · West Greenway Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Grand Avenue

    4.6 mi · 8 min · Grand Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the exit right toward AZ 101 Loop South

    1947 ft · 47 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Agua Fria Freeway

    8.9 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Phoenix

    1.3 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway

    10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

    2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

  10. 10

    Continue on Papago Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Papago Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway

  12. 12

    Merge slight right onto Maricopa Freeway

    12.3 mi · 14 min · Maricopa Freeway

  13. 13

    Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

    37.8 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

    36.3 mi · 36 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Marana Road

    2167 ft · 56 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto North Sandario Road

    104 m · 14 sec · North Sandario Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Marana Road

    2071 ft · 52 sec · West Marana Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Marana Main Street

    143 m · 9 sec · Marana Main Street

  19. 19

    Continue on West Marana Road

    2819 ft · 59 sec · West Marana Road

  20. 20

    Turn left onto North Sanders Road

    4 mi · 7 min · North Sanders Road

  21. 21

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Avra Valley Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · West Avra Valley Road

  22. 22

    Turn sharp left onto Clayton Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Clayton Road

  23. 23

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West Twin Peaks Road

    2644 ft · 52 sec · West Twin Peaks Road

  24. 24

    Turn right onto North Sanders Road

    1 mi · 2 min · North Sanders Road

  25. 25

    Turn right onto West Emigh Road

    1 mi · 3 min · West Emigh Road

  26. 26

    Keep slight left to continue on North Avra Road

    1.4 mi · 5 min · North Avra Road

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Avra Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Surprise and Picture Rocks.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
27 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
37.8 mi · 29%
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
36.3 mi · 28%
Papago Freeway
14.9 mi · 12%
Maricopa Freeway
12.3 mi · 10%
Agua Fria Freeway
8.94 mi · 7%
North Sanders Road
5 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

37.8 mi · 00h 38m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 33m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20 mi
108.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sacaton
01h 16m from Surprise
Leave By
1:22 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Surprise and Sunny near Picture Rocks.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Surprise to Picture Rocks?

The road trip is about 128.9 miles (207.5 km) and usually takes 02h 33m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Sacaton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.5 miles from Surprise and 64.4 miles from Picture Rocks.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 108.9 miles (175.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 20 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:22 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.53 one way or $45.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Surprise and Sunny near Picture Rocks.

Stop Ideas Near Sacaton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Sacaton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 6.3 mi away

City of Casa Grande

Casa Grande , AZ
Casa Grande, AZ 85122, United States
Rating 3.0/5 2 reviews Garbage collection service
City of Maricopa: City Hall
Meeting point 13 mi away

City of Maricopa: City Hall

Maricopa , AZ
39700 W Civic Center Plaza, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
Rating 4.8/5 23 reviews City or town hall,City government office
The City of Maricopa's City Complex
Nearby stop 13 mi away

The City of Maricopa's City Complex

Maricopa , AZ
39700 W Civic Center Plaza, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
Rating 4.3/5 3 reviews Civic center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sacaton.

RAIL

Maricopa

29 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway
BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

47 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

49 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

64 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Surprise and Picture Rocks. Straight-line distance: 108.85 mi (175.17 km).

Surprise

#1 Surprise

The seventh most populous city in Arizona.

Population147,965
Coordinates33.6305900, -112.3332200
Altitude358
CountryUnited States
Picture Rocks

#2 Picture Rocks

Census-designated place in Pima County, Arizona, United States

Population9,563
Coordinates32.3459100, -111.2462100
Altitude634
CountryUnited States
Start: Surprise (-112.33322, 33.63059)
End: Picture Rocks (-111.24621, 32.34591)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 208 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.55 gal
17.23 L · about $22.53
Round trip
$45.05
9.1 gal · 34.46 L
Estimated CO2
40.4 kg one way
Round trip: 80.9 kg / 178 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $22.53 $45.05
Mid-grade $5.34 $24.29 $48.58
Premium $5.57 $25.33 $50.65
Diesel $6.37 $28.97 $57.93

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Arizona · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Surprise and Picture Rocks. The current time is 02:09:00.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.